expectation

noun

ex·​pec·​ta·​tion ˌek-ˌspek-ˈtā-shən 

ik-

1

: the act or state of expecting : anticipation

in expectation of what would happen

2

a

: something expected

not up to expectations

expectations for an economic recovery

b

: basis for expecting : assurance

they have every expectation of success

c

: prospects of inheritance

—usually used in plural

3

: the state of being expected

4

a

: expectancy sense 2b

b

: expected value

expectational

ˌek-ˌspek-ˈtā-sh(ə-)nəl 

-shnəl

adjective

Synonyms

• anticipation
• contemplation
• expectance
• expectancy
• prospect

Examples of expectation in a Sentence

The company has expectations of making a profit next year.

I saved the files in the expectation that they would be useful in the future.

There is widespread expectation that the strike will be settled soon.

The crowd waited in expectation of her arrival.

Recent Examples on the Web

This investigation failed to meet the basic expectations of transparency and accountability that our community deserves from both law enforcement and city leadership. —Dominick Vargas, Sun Sentinel, 1 Feb. 2025

The Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge, the U.S. personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index, rose 0.3% last month after an unrevised 0.1% gain in November, in line with economists' expectations. —Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 1 Feb. 2025

But Mac, iPad, and Services revenue all grew by double-digit percentages and outperformed expectations. —Jeff Marks, CNBC, 31 Jan. 2025

While projecting an expectation that production volume will increase in 2025, executives also forecasted that their budgets will remain on par with one year earlier (42 percent of respondents) or come down slightly (39 percent). —Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1540, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing expectation

• mathematical expectation

Kids Definition

expectation

noun

ex·​pec·​ta·​tion ˌek-ˌspek-ˈtā-shən 

ik-

1

: the act or state of expecting : a looking forward to or waiting for something

2

: chances of good or bad fortune

—usually used in plural

3

: something expected